Chion-in Wajun Kaikan

Coming to Kyoto during sakura (cherry blossom) season is beautiful. However, since every other tourist also turns up in town at the same time, finding a hotel during this high season can be quite challenging.
Luckily, I was able to ask for help from a local Kyotoite who secured me a room here at the Wajun Kaikan. Located just next to the Chion-​in Temple, the Wajun Kaikan is the temple’s hotel. If you’re looking for a peaceful place to rest your head, this is it. I had a Western-​style room but the hotel also offers traditional tatami rooms. The property also features a public bath.
If you’re curious about Buddhism, you can join the temple’s monks for the morning prayer service, either in person or from your room if you turn the speaker on the wall on. Breakfast, which is included in your room rate, is Buddhist vegetarian.
If you’re planning to party into the wee hours in Kyoto, the Wajun Kaikan is not for you. The hotel has a 23:00 curfew. Guests cannot enter or leave the property after this time. After miscalculating how long it would take me to get back here to Higashiyama after dinner, one night I had to run to arrive by curfew which was a touch stressful.
In terms of location, the hotel is perfectly situated in Higashiyama — you can walk to a lot of Kyoto’s top sites and attractions from here. I’d definitely stay at the serene Wajun Kaikan again.